Little Mikey and the Seafood Market

Recently, I had a craving for fresh fish and I went to the seafood market to make a purchase.

There were several people in the market and when it was the turn of the woman in front of me I was relieved.  After all the time waiting, she didn’t know what kind of fish she wanted.  “Let’s see…lemme have two of dem…and can I git three of dese?”  Then, “No, just gie me five of the Spots and lemme have six Croakers (what was she doing while we were waiting in line…the fish was visible to all).  When asked how she wanted the fish cut, she said, “Open, so I can fry them.”  

Next she moves to the hard shell crab and purchases fresh crab (10) and some crab legs, plus crab boil and other seasonings. Meanwhile, little Mikey is running around the market and begging for some candy item near the counter.

While I was placing my order, she decided to explain to little Mikey why he couldn’t have the candy. “Yo teeth is a’ready rotin, you don’t need no candy.”  Well that didn’t sit well with Little Mikey and he began screaming at the top of his voice (oh, where are my ear plugs).  

The woman starts yelling at Little Mikey to stop crying, but of course, Little Mikey continued until he almost lost his breath.  She gave in and let Little Mikey put his candy choice on the counter.  She then turned and looked at me and said, “I can’t stan’ that noise, so let him have the candy (sure, he can always get dentures at five years old). Now, Little Mikey is a happy camper!

She added hot dogs and a loaf of bread to her order. The cashier rang up her order which came to $45.00 and some change. She gave the cashier her EBT card (food stamps). WTH?!!?  

After paying for my seafood ($6.00), I went outside to my car.  Parked next to me was Little Mikey’s mom with several other children in the car.  They were complaining that Little Mikey got candy and they didn’t.  One was crying saying she wanted candy, too (but not Little Mikey, he was happy) and a couple were just complaining loudly.  As they drove off, you could still hear the crying and the loud, angry voices, including the mom’s.

I can’t believe she spent that much money on one meal using food stamps.  If she shopped conservatively, she could buy several meals with $45.00.  How many small children eat fish with bones, crab legs or hard shell crab?  Someone has to get the bones out of the fish, crack the crab legs and hard shell crab and remove the meat. I can almost guarantee the hot dogs and bread were for the kids.

People like this give others who need and receive food stamps a bad name.  Of course, not everyone misuses food stamps, but enough do.  Recently, I read they are trying to pass a law that food stamps can be used at fast food restaurants.  This is just wrong for so many reasons.  Fast food is not a healthy choice and our children are already overweight.  People who can’t afford to feed themselves, should buy food in a grocery store and prepare it at home. It is much less expensive and the food stamps will last longer. Before anyone gets approved for food stamps, they should be required to take a nutrition class and a budgeting class.  The reason many people are in need of food stamps is because they don’t know how to budget.

When it comes to Little Mikey's mom's use of her food stamps, I’m not a happy camper….but Little Mikey is! 

Do you agree or disagree?  Leave your comments below.

Peace